Graffiti has a diverse history within societies as a means of expression and can be studied to reflect various social aspects such as culture, art, behaviour, communication, and territoriality (Alonso 1998). Although graffiti is associated with a predominately negative connotation, it has come to gain meaning in the art world as an alternative form of expression. Graffiti is largely used to assert messages, either directly or indirectly, some of which are positive in nature, despite controversial methods (Alonso 1998). Such messages are made without the limitation of established social constraints, the value of the message in some senses outweighing perceived vandalism (Alonso 1998). The scribbling of a heart with the word “love” will most likely have a different effect than an all too common gang tag, both of which are often considered to be “existential” in nature (Alonso 1998). Graffiti of a positive message for the purpose of expression or personal commentary may decentralize both conceptions of art and graffiti, posing questions as to cultural place and relevance (Rafferty 1991). Should such “art” be a target of financially-backed task forces aiming to put a stop to the “disruption” of order? Although messages are being placed in public areas, it is controversial as to the context of this kind of graffiti, positive messages perhaps being overshadowed by out-of-place spray paint within an orderly urban landscape  (Rafferty 1991). Yet in this case, graffiti is not being used to mark territory or express a heavy political message, nor is it artistically complex. Like many social topics, graffiti and its significance is in the eye of the beholder.

By Chantal Strand

Works Cited:

Alonso, Alex

1998    Urban Graffiti on the Urban Landscape. Western Geography Graduate Conference 1-25.

Rafferty, Pat

1991    Discourse on Difference. Visual Anthropology Review 7(2):77-84.